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• Phone application questions

  Questions we ask when you apply by phone Here are all of the questions and prompts you may hear when you apply for benefits by phone. Initial introduction and instruction Answer all questions truthfully. Failure to provide accurate information could result in errors on your claim. You will hear an introduction and with some valuable information. Please listen to all of it so you can make sure the choice you make is correct. Welcome to the Washington Unemployment Claims Center and Automated...

• Guidance - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) eligibility questions

  Guidance for answering the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) eligibility questions This page will help you answer questions on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) application and weekly claims. The PUA program expired on the week ending Sept. 4, 2021.   If you never applied for PUA but believe you have past weeks to claim You can apply through Oct. 6, 2021, but the week ending Sept. 4 is still the last payable week for PUA benefits. That means, if you...

• Schedule a SAW callback

  Schedule a callback from a Secure Access Washington (SAW) Portal agent When you call the SAW Help Desk, our goal is to connect you directly to a customer service agent that can answer your question or help you access your Secure Access Washington account. Sometimes due to heavy call volumes, we are unable to put you straight through to a customer service agent. Because we know your time is valuable, instead of putting you on hold, we have a new service that allows you to...

• Furloughed state employees: SharedWork Q&A

  Furloughed state employees: SharedWork Q&A   Filing the initial application When should I apply for unemployment benefits?You can set up your SAW account and use ESD’s eServices to apply for benefits once ESD approves your employer’s SharedWork application. A SharedWork representative from your agency will contact staff about next steps. Open this PowerPoint chart. I heard the base year changed on July 1. Should I wait to file to get more benefits?It depends on your situation. If you...

• Benefit denials and appeals

  Benefit denials and appeals If you disagree with a decision we’ve made about your unemployment benefits, you can appeal that decision. The best way to do that is through eServices. After logging in, select your claim and navigate to the “Decision” status tab. Look for the decision you want to appeal and choose “Appeal.” We may ask you for additional information about your claim.  What can I appeal? Examples of decisions...

• WOTC application deadlines

  Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) application deadlines In Washington state, employers must receive certification from the Employment Security Department in order to deduct the credit on their annual tax returns. To be considered eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, employers and authorized representatives must submit applications within 28 days of the day the job applicant starts work. If the 28-day deadline is approaching and you: Don’t have the required documentation, you may...

• San Juan County profile

   San Juan County profile by Anneliese Vance-Sherman, Ph.D.,regional labor economist - updated May, 2022 Overview | Geographic facts | Outlook | Labor force and unemployment | Industry employment | Wages and income | Population | Useful links | PDF Profile copy    Overview Regional context San Juan County located in northwest Washington state, includes four large islands: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw and hundreds of...

• Commissioner Approved Training

  Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) allows you to collect your regular unemployment benefits while attending an approved, full-time training program. If approved for commissioner-approved training, you do not have to look for work while receiving unemployment benefits. CAT does not pay for books, tuition or school-related fees. It does not extend your benefits. Eligibility You may be eligible for CAT if you are otherwise eligible for...

• Rulemaking for Topics Covered by Emergency Rules

  Rulemaking for topics covered by Emergency Rules   DescriptionIn February 2020, Governor Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency in Washington state regarding COVID-19. Following that, the Employment Security filed a series of emergency rules, in order to support the state’s response.   Phase 1 Emergency Rules topics: Registration for work. Certification of satisfactory progress for training programs. Penalty waivers. Updates to certain definitions. WorkSource closures....

• Sign up for a benefits debit card

  Receive your unemployment benefits by debit card Please note: You may choose to receive your unemployment benefits by direct deposit or on a debit card. Prior to choosing, you must review the debit card disclosure information that explains all the fees relating to the benefits card program. The U.S. Bank ReliaCard® is a reloadable, prepaid Visa® debit card issued by U.S. Bank. It provides an electronic option for receiving your benefit payments....